Controller accessories were everywhere in the Wii era, with various companies fighting over a piece of the sizeable, tasty pie of the system's sales. We can expect that trend to continue to some degree with the Wii U, though the uptake has been slower due to its smaller fan-base to date. Fear not, third-party controller fans, there is a product coming out this Holiday season with which you can stuff your festive stocking, clearly designed to tap into the upcoming Super Smash Bros. craze.

We say it's for Wii U, which is only technically true. PDP (Performance Designed Products) has announced the "Wired Fight Pad" 'for Wii U', but in reality it's merely compatible with Nintendo's latest system by virtue of its support for Wii controllers. As the name suggests this is wired, and mimics the Classic Controller / Classic Controller Pro setup by plugging into a Wii Remote — if a game supports the Wii Classic Controller range — as the upcoming Super Smash Bros. surely will — then this will work.

That's not particularly impressive in itself, though more pleasing is confirmation that the design will take inspiration from the original GameCube controller, and courtesy of an official license with Nintendo will have a design featuring characters "such as Mario, Yoshi, and Princess Peach". It'll hit North America this Holiday season at a price of $24.99.

As you can see in the image above, PDP has previously released controllers — and many other accessories — on the Wii and other systems, in that case mimicking a mini-fight stick setup; with Wii U owners keen to use a GameCube-style controller on their new system, this could be an intriguing option.

We'll reach out to the company to check if a prototype image is available. In the meantime let us know if this is a controller you're interested in picking up at the end of the year.

Not interested, actually. I like the Pro Controller a bunch, so I don't think I'll need this for Smash. Much as I adore the GameCube, I have plenty of GCN games and controllers to scratch that itch. For Smash Bros. on Wii U, I'll stick with the official Pro Controller.

Besides, that hideously deformed controller clearly inspired by SEGA's six-button design doesn't fill me with a whole lot of confidence about this new one being particularly exciting. If I'm going third-party, Nyko's Pro Commander seems to be the only acceptable option.

Hmmm....1.) Looks nothing like the Gamecube Controller.2.) My OCD is kicking in hardcore with the lowercase and uppercase letters on the face of the controller.3.) Why the hell does it have a long, stumpy left handgrip and a short right handgrip?

Wow it looks awful.... I got excited, and thought this was legit from Nintendo and connect to the Wii U through the USB port. Connecting it to the Wiimote means it'll have a one second input delay which makes it useless for Brawl/Project M since you can really use a Gamecube controller. If nothing uses the USB everyone will just use the Pro Controller for SSB4, and as said by others.... where is the 'Gamecube' inspiration...

@Anyone saying this doesn't look like a Gamecube controller: "As you can see in the image above, PDP has previously released controllers — and many other accessories — on the Wii and other systems, in that case mimicking a mini-fight stick setup; with Wii U owners keen to use a GameCube-style controller on their new system, this could be an intriguing option." Note the use of "the image above" and "in that case mimicking a mini-fight stick setup". EDIT: And the caption.

Yes, that controller looks awful and it makes me sceptical of the quality of the Gamecube-inspired one, but it's not the Gamecube-inspired one the article is talking about.

That controller was released to help players play fighting games better, like Mortal Combat and Tekken. It actually looks pretty decent for that purpose and I can't wait to see what PDP come up with for a Smash one.

I think you guys did a wrong move by using that picture to be the article image. Even if you read thru the article it's still confusing and most people would still refer to that as the new pad for Wii U.

@Zyph I was pretty darn clear in two separate instances in the article. I decided not to post an actual GameCube controller image, and a logo for the company would be boring in this case. Just trying to give some context that the company's done Nintendo controllers in the past!

I've emailed the company to ask about a prototype image. If they provide one, it'll go in the article

I like the controller, being a fighting game fan, it's great to see that the Wii U gets a fightpad. I don't want to pay $50 for an extra advantage.However, there's one issue about this, and that's that there is a very short amount of Wii U games it can be used on for Wii UThose being Street Fighter 2 GamesTekken Tag Tournament 2 I guess?Luckily there are much more games for the Wii, including Tatsunoko VS Capcom, Neo Geo games and several more, but even then the fighting scene is nowhere on Wii....why did they make this again?

@ThomasBW84 Yeah I can see that sorry about how I sounded. It's just that some people goes straight to the comments section and comment because of what they "saw" and not what they "read". It's the reader's own fault.

@LuckyTJ It's supposed to resemble an arcade machine. These type of controllers are specifically designed for fighting games, so having all buttons up front will be a good benefit since you can get to them quicker. Which helps.

Unless the Wii U starts getting new entries on franchises such as Street Fighter or King of Fighters, I just don't see the need. Plus, I hate having to plug the classic controller I already own onto a wiimote, so I'm not super thrilled about this one.

@Superiorspider Uh... because I'm not likely to get this controller whenever it comes out, and I wanted to express as much? Because comments can be negative or dismissive? To declare my thoughts about the article, which is the entire point of comments?

@Genesaur Because that image above is not the actual controller. If you read the article, that's the PDP fight controller for the Wii. The Wii U gamecube one has been announced, but there is no actual prototype picture available.

@Superiorspider Right? And as I said, the SEGA-style controller pictured doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence in the quality of the upcoming one. I almost made the mistake of thinking that was it, at first, but hastily edited my comment to more accurately reflect what's going on.

@EarthboundBenjy Thank you. I was having the worst time trying to figure out what controller that looked like. I mostly used the "3D" controller with my Saturn, which looks more like a proto-Dreamcast pad.

If people want to use a gamecube controller so badly, why don't they just buy an adapter to plug their actual gamecube controllers into a wii remote? Yes it will function like a classic controller, but it sounds like this one will too. The Wii U pro controller is still better though.

While the article and captions themselves make it clear that the accompanying picture is not the controller being discussed in the article, the teaser on the front page in no way makes this clear. I chose to read the article based on the picture, assuming it was the controller being discussed. While I understand the logic behind this picture accompanying this article, I can see why people find this article so confusing. Since there's no picture of the new PDP pad yet, I'd sooner put a picture of a GameCube controller. A PDP logo might be boring, but I'd take boring over misleading.

I appreciate--and yet am a little surprised by--the fact that the GameCube controller seems to be the most beloved Nintendo controller. The GC controller is certainly comfortable, but I never really liked the button layout or the D-Pad. I wish the SNES controller got as much recognition (outside Japan).

@ThomasBW84 The PDP Versus pad for the Wii must have had a really limited run. Amazon and eBay have no record of it ever being listed on either site, and I've seen ghosts and zombie blood on eBay. I'll buy one right now if I can find it...

@absuplendous It's a matter of stubborn comfort. People became so accustomed to the GCN Controller during Melee, were able to bring their GCN Controller over to Brawl, and now are faced with having to switch controllers. My wife "swears" she can't use anything but her WaveBird, but it looks like she doesn't have much of a choice here.

Me on the other hand, I'm going to force myself to learn the Wii U Pro Controller. I'm already VERY used to the Classic Controller Pro, so I don't think it'll be a huge change. But that Wii U Pro Controller tho...

@DragonbornRito I see what you're saying. I enjoy the Wii U Pro Controller as well, but when playing certain SNES games with it, my muscle memory betrayed me. I adapted, but my sights are locked on an SFC Classic Controller...

The author was pretty clear that the image included with the article isn't the new Gamecube inspired controller, but it was still a poor choice of images, and it should have been obvious that it would lead to confusion.

This is the problem with sites that slavishly adhere to the "blogging 101" rule that every post has to have an image. I understand that this is a business, and typically blog posts with images get more clicks, but that doesn't make it okay to include misleading or irrelevant images.

The author could have (and should) have waited for PDP to supply a mockup, or commissioned a mockup, or used a placeholder graphic that stated the design is pending.

its not the authors fault that people choose to be lazy and not read to get the full story.They adhere to the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words..
anyway..
Im interested in this gamecube style classic pro control.Its what many have asked for. I have a wireless pro control, I put up with it,but am not a big fan. I welcome more options

@FuseBlues1.) Well regardless that's a bit odd they would picture that controller if it isn't the one being discussed in the article.2.) If starring at a photo of the controller and it's lower case and upper case buttons caused intrusive thoughts and anxiety, and an itching desire to change every button that it obsessive behavior, and could be considered OCD. I know what OCD is.3.) That did give me a laugh, cheers!

I was hoping for a 1st party redesigned Wii U Pro controller to be announced shortly before Smash Bros Wii U release. Since this is a Wii pro controller I am less excited but will reserve judgement until it's released and some reviews are available.

@MuchoMochi
1) True - but the article does make clear.... ish. Sort of. A bit.
2) Nope. I'm a bit twitchy about this, as my partner has OCD, and it's nothing like people's assumptions (obsessions and compulsions are almost always unrelated). Sounds like OCPD. I'm a proper killjoy about this, and for that I apologise, but OCD is a very distressing condition that people trivialise by perpetuating the misunderstanding that it has anything to do with order or suchlike.
3) The internet is awesome. I was going to post a picture of Jeremy Beadle, but wasn't sure that would translate generations or nationalities.

As a side note, why is there not actual wired GC controller for WiiU (SSB branded if necessary). Sometimes I think Nintendo just don't want money.

@MuchoMochi (answer to #3) Because in case you want to play 'piano style', where you hold it up by the large handle side and press the buttons like a piano (or a arcade stick). It was actually really comfortable. It's just a shame that the micro-switches didn't last very long...

@FuseBlues I don't believe you are being a killjoy, but I just looked up the definition of OCD, and what I described definitely falls within the parameters of the disease, but there no two cases are the same. I didn't mean to insult you, but I know what I'm talking about, my brother suffers from it as well.

Button placement, shape, design, this has nothing.in common whatsoever with a gamecube controller, where did that comparison even come from? This has however got me drooling over the thought of an official nintendo white wireless pro controller in the shape of a gamecube controller, would be the ideal way to play smash bros

When it comes to controllers, I'm the exact opposite! Muscle memory betrays me in Brawl if I use a GCN controller, and I start to play as if I was under Melee physics.

I have to say that I hate the Wii U Pro for one reason - The analogue sticks are above the face buttons. I don't care much about the placement of the left stick, since my thump stays on it at all times, but my other thumb hops from the buttons to the stick constantly, and every other controller for every other console ever made with two analogue sticks has had the right stick beneath the buttons. I've tried to play Brawl on Dolphin with a Wii U Pro, and I'm gonna have a hell of a time trying to adjust to reaching UP for the stick!

Am i honestly the only one that prefers the WiiMote!?!? Like many, Brawl was my first Smash bros game, but like few, i'm still a nintendo fan and have always used the wiimote, despite trying the gamecube controller i bought to play N64 games. Might try gamepad or pro controller (probs pro controller, don't fancy button mashing with gamepad)

@GhotiH First off, I love that Robbie Rotten avatar... That show was strangely enjoyable for being a kid's show.

And I do have to agree with both points you made. I find it quite difficult to go BACK to a GCN controller after using the CCPro for so long, so believe me, I understand everyone's worries about having to switch controllers.

And I agree, the face buttons are a bit weird, but playing lots of CoD: Blops2 on Wii U has grown me accustomed to the controller very well. The right stick is only for C-Sticking Smash attacks and aerials anyway, so it's not going to affect me nearly as much in Smash Bros.

This product will be an utter commercial failure... like the Wii U!WHY Would I purchase a "wired" controller that only plugs into a wireless remote? WHAT is the point of calling it wireless. HOW hard is it to make a controller that plugs into one of the Wii U's two USB ports? I mean really this is a horrible idea that will fail!

Let's make a fighting game controller that is wired! You know, for those smash bros fans who love their game cube controller! Ok! Let's have it wired to the Wii more so it is still wireless! Bone headed people. It is so simple. There are two usb ports on the Wii U. TWO. Is it so much to ask to have them just plug into the console? Fightsticks manage to do this just fine, same with regular fight pads.

@MuchoMochi Guys the picture they used is not the actual controller, the picture in this article is ANOTHER controller the company made for the Wii not the Wii U. I think the author thought u guys had enough brain to conclude that but i guess not LOL.

You know why this sucks? There is no.. C-STICK! Playing Smash bros without a C-stick is limiting. When someone plays without it they're a weaker player.. like playing Smash bros 1v1 with an unskilled younger sibling who likes to pick Peach because she's a "princess".

Everyone for sure was excited when they heard "Gamecube inspired controller for Wii U". Seeing this thing will make you think, "they had one job..". Yeah, PDP is making this controller, but it has to pass through Nintendo and if this is the end result, they're going to get a lot of hate. Hopefully PDP does research on why smash players love their Gamecube controller. We'll know when winter comes.

SKIP THIS PRODUCT. There are ABSOLUTELY NO online places to buy the PDP Versus Pad for Wii (sources hint at a 2011 release, but it doesn't seem to be a real product). Also, all the reviews for the PDP Versus Pad for Xbox 360 and PS3 are HORRIBLE.

This product will certainly be marred by poor craftsmanship. Please don't waste your money on horrible 3rd party controllers like these.

@Benjwurm Why don't you look at how old my comment is? Do you HONESTLY think that I haven't found out by now?? I commented before I really read the article, quit being a redundant fool and think before you lambast someone and try to make them feel stupid. You just come off as a jerk.

Please Understand that the image at the top is not of the "fight pad." That is of the "versus pad" which has already been released for the Wii. It is strange that they used that in the article, but there are no images of the "fight pad."

@Benjwurm no reason to apologize, it would take quite a bit more to get an emotional rise out of me. I called you a fool yes, call it irony, call it whatever you want, but I never said I didn't do anything wrong by not noticing the caption.

Point taken. While I do use it on occasion for aerials and the rare smash attack, I know people who thrive off of it. (Some people so much that our local meta started calling these people "C-Stickers" with a negative connotation.) I think I can eventually get used to going up for the stick, but in the event that I just simply can't, the Classic Controller is there for me.